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POSTAGE STAMPS 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES 


Produced by the National, Continental and 
American Bank Note Companies 


1870 to 1893 


A Complete Reference List of all Varieties 


STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 

198 Broadway, New York 

(PRICE 50 CENTS) 


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THE 

POSTAGE STAMPS 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES 


Produced by the National, Continental and 
American Bank Note Companies 

1870 to 1893 


A Complete Reference List of all Varieties 


STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 

198 Broadway, New York 

(PRICE 50 CENTS) 


2 


/-/£■ 

30 & 

POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 

FOREWORD 


This publication is yet another one of the series of handbooks 
on United States Stamps that we have produced in the past. The 
second edition of our book dealing with the older issues is running 
low and so much of it is now supplanted by our other handbooks 
that we have decided to issue this book dealing with the production 
of the Bank Note Companies. 

This gives us now three handbooks as follows: 

U. S. issues 1870 to 1894. This publication. 

U. S. issues 1894 to 1900. Bureau Issues. 

U. S. issues 1901 to 1919. Twentieth Century. 

Later on we shall produce another book 1847 to 1870, then 
these four handbooks will complete the series at a cost of Two Dol- 
lars, which is within the means of any collector. 

Mr. Power has not hesitated to say just what he knows and 
thinks in this book (which is usual*to his writings) and we trust 
that this latest book will prove helpful to the great army of collect- 
ors of United States Stamps. 

Criticism and helpful notes for future editions are earnestly 
solicited as usual. 

STANLEY GIBBONS, INC. 

198 Broadway 

New York 


Fall, 1921. 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


3 


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 


The issues of the National, Continental and American Bank 
Note Companies are really one long continuation of the same de- 
sign, differing from each other in technical points such as retouch- 
ings, paper differences and grills and shades. There are many 
things listed in Scott’s Catalogue which to my mind have no right 
there — in fact have no right anywhere, and I am not going to give 
them more than a sharp note of condemnation. From 1870 to 
1888 all the issues were printed from two hundred subject plates, 
that is the sheets after printing were halved vertically into hund- 
reds. As many of the stamps had wide margins one often finds so- 
called “imperf” stamps being offered as rarities. These are all 
trimmed copies and usually show the little coloured arrow guide 
line in the margins. They are not imperf stamps at all. They are 
edge stamps trimmed down. I have gone on the assumption that a 
collector is endeavoring to locate a certain stamp and does not 
know to which issue it belongs, hence the diagram following these 
remarks. 


EUSTACE B. POWER. 


4 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


HOW TO LOCATE THE ISSUES 


ONE CENT BLUE 

If it is on hard (not soft meshy paper) and has no secret mark in 
the ball it’s a National print. If grilled it’s 1870, if without 
grill, 1871. (Page 7). 

If it has the curve in the ball and is bn hard brittle snappy paper 
it’s a Continental 1873. (Page 8). 

If it has the curve in the ball and is on soft meshy paper it’s an 
American 1879. (Page 8). 

If the corner ornaments etc. have been retouched it’s a re-engraved 
American of 1882. (Page 9). 


TWO CENTS BROWN 

If it’s on bard paper, red brown shade, and has no secret mark, it’s 
a National. If with grill 1870, if without 1871. (Page 10). 

If it’s on hard paper, deep brown shade, with no reddish tint and 
has a secret mark which is very hard to see, it’s a Continental 
1873. (Page 11). 

If it’s on soft meshy paper it’s the special print of 1880. (Page 

12 ). 

TWO CENTS VERMILION 

If it’s on hard paper it’s a Continental of 1875. (Page 11). 

If it’s on soft paper it’s an American of 1879. (Page 11). 


THREE CENTS GREEN 

If it’s on hard paper, has the ribbon unshaded, and is grilled it’s a 
National of 1870, if ungrilled of 1871. (Page 13). 

If it’s on hard paper, is a deep green, has the ribbon shaded, it’s a 
Continental of 1873. (Page 13). 

If it’s on soft paper it’s an American which must be sub-divided as 
follows: If shading is deep round the oval 1879. (Page 14). 
If the shading is narrow it’s the re-engraved of 1882. (Page 14). 


FIVE CENTS BLUE 

If on hard paper it’s Continental of 1875. (Page 14). 
If on soft paper it’s American of 1879. (Page 15). 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


5 


SIX CENTS RED 


If it’s a carmine red and the first four vertical lines of shading in 
left ribbon are slight, it’s a National. With grille it’s 1870, 
without grille 1871. (Page 15). 

If it’s a dull brickish red and has the lines in the ribbons made 
heavier it’s a Continental of 187 3. (Page 16). 

If it’s on soft paper it’s an American of 187 9. (Page 16). 

If it has only three lines from the edge of the panel to the outside 
of the stamp, it’s the re-engraved of 1882. (Page 16). 

i 

SEVEN CENTS VERMILION 


If it’s on hard paper and has a grille it’s a National of 1870. If it 
hasn’t a grille and has no curved line round the ball it’s a Na- 
tional of 1871. (Page. 17). 

If it’s on hard paper and has a curved line round the ball its a Con- 
tinental of 1873. (Page 17). 

If it’s on soft paper it’s a special print of 1880. (Page 17). 


TEN CENTS BROWN 


If it’s on hard paper and has no colour curve in the right hand ball 
at top it’s a National. If grilled it’s 1870, if no grille 1871. 
(Page 18). 

If it’s on hard paper and has a curved line of colour in the right 
hand ball at top it’s a Continental of 1873. (Page 19). 

If it’s on soft paper it’s an American of 1879 and exists both with 
and without this curved line of colour. (Page 19). 

If it has only four vertical lines between the left side of the oval 
and the edge of the shield it’s the re-engraved of 1882. (Page 
19). 


TWELVE CENTS PURPLE 


If it’s on hard paper and has a grille it’s a National of 1870, if un- 
grilled and the lower ball of the “2” is round it’s a National of 
1871. (Page 20). 

If it’s on hard paper, deep colour, and the lower ball of the “2” is 
crescent shaped it’s a Continental of 1873. (Page 20). 

If it’s on soft paper — almost black purple in colour — it's the special 
print of 1880. (Page 20). 


6 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


FIFTEEN CENTS ORANGE 

• 

If it’s on hard paper, rather yellowish in colour and has a grille, 
it’s a National of 1870, if without grille a National of 1871. 
(Page 21). 

If it’s on hard paper, deeper orange in shade, and has two heavy 
lines in the left triangle strengthened so as to form a “V”, it’s 
a Continental of 1873. (Page 21). 

If it’s on soft paper and of a distinctly reddish orange colour it’s 
an American of 1879. (Page 21). 


TWENTY FOUR CENTS VIOLET 

If it’s on hard paper and has a grille it’s a National of 1870, if 
without grille a National of 1871. (Page 22). 

If it’s on hard paper, and is bluish instead of reddish violet it’s the 
so-called Continental of 1873. (Page 22). 

If it’s on soft paper, distinctly deep purple, it’s the special print of 
1880. (Page 22). 


THIRTY CENTS BLACK • 

If it’s on hard paper and has a grille it’s a National of 1870, if no 
grille a National of 1871. The shade is always jet black. 
(Page 23). 

If it’s on hard paper and is greenish black or greyish black — it’s a 
Continental of 1873. (Page 23). 

If it’s on soft paper and is greenish black and also very intense jet 
black, it’s an American of 1879. (Page 23). 


NINETY CENTS CARMINE 

If it’s on hard paper and has a grille it’s a National of 1870, if no' 
grille still a National of 1871. The shade is carmine not yel- 
lowish lake. (Page 24). 

If it’s on hard paper and has a distinctly yellowish cast to a pale 
rosy shade it’s a Continental of 1873. (Page 24). 

If it’s on soft paper and is an out and out rose colour it’s an Ameri- 
can of 1879. (Page 24). 


This table is merely a guide. We will now proceed to go into 
more detail concerning the issues. 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


7 


THE ISSUES OF 1870-82. 

PERFORATED 12. 


From 1870 to 1882 the issues of twelve years, by three differ- 
ent printers, and with innumerable varieties all brought together 
under one heading appears at first sight to be rather a sweeping 
treatment of the designs, but I have come to the conclusion that 
these issues are more puzzling than any others to collectors. Be- 
sides design, we have, for the first time, distinctions of paper and 
also the re-engraving of designs, and the best way to separate the 
issues is to figuratively imagine that we have a handful of one value 
to sort. I treated this subject on exactly these lines in some articles 
which appeared in Gibbons’ Stamp Weekly, and several amateurs 
very kindly wrote to me that these articles were helpful to them, 
so I propose to follow the same course now. 

THE ONE CENT, BLUE, FRANKLIN. 



(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co., 1870-1. 

The first emission of this design appeared in 1870 with the 
usual grille on the back. As this precaution was becoming less in 
favor than previously, we very often find the grille points only were 
pin-pricks. Its size was from eight and a half to nine millimetres 
by ten and a half to eleven millimetres, and more often than not 
with but a few points showing. 

The blue color varies but little in the grilled issues, but with- 
out grille we find deep blue, bright blue, and pale greyish blue. 
Specimens with pen cancellations removed are often offered as un- 
used, but beyond this I think the collector has plain sailing. The 
stamps were printed on a thin hard white paper with brownish gum. 



POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co., 1873. 


When the National Bank Note Co. turned over the plates of 
the 1870 issue to the Continental Bank Note Co. the latter company 
cut a small mark in the ball to the left of the serif of the numeral 
1 to distinguish their work from that of the previous holders of the 
contract. The same hard white paper was used and the value is 
know nwith a grille. The shades in the Continental printing are 
more prolific. We find deep ultramarine, bright ultramarine, grey- 
blue and greenish-blue as the leading colors. It is not generally 
known that the Continental Company began using the soft paper 
just previous to their turning over the plates to the American Bank 
Note Co. in 1879, and the One Cent stamp printed in a milky blue 
shade, usually assigned to the American Co., was in reality pro- 
duced by the Continental Co. probably in 1878. Although the stamp 
was in use at the time of the Centennial, it appears that a special 
printing was made for that event. This special print was in ultra- 
marine on a very white ungummed paper, and most specimens ap- 
pear to have been cut apart with scissors, as the perforations nearly 
always are found thus mutilated. 

During the years this company printed the stamps they used a 
double paper — which when soaked splits easily, henoe so many 
specimens abound on very thin paper. The stamp is listed with a 
grille, No. 15 6e, which must be considered purely as an essay or 
worse and it is also listed imperf as No. 156f. I must see a pair 
before I take any stock in this variety. 


(Ill) Printed by the American Bank Note Co., 1879. 


The soft porous paper always showing heavy meshes in its text- 
ture was first used in the last printings of the Continental Co. The 
American Co. never printed stamps on anything but this soft paper, 
and therefore specimens are easily assigned to this issue. The range 
of shade is large, the principal colors are indigo, deep blue and 
milky blue. There was a special printing made in 1880, for what 
purpose no one has ever been able to find out. Speaking of this 
special printing, Mr. Luff’s book says: “the paper and perforation 
are the same as were then in regular use and the stamps were not 
gummed. The colours are slightly deeper and richer than usual, 
but the differences are not easily expressed. Very careful compari- 
son with a set known to have been purchased at the period is the 
only certain way to identify specimens. The stamps are of extreme 
rarity — only five complete sets and a few odd copies are known to 
exist.” The colour of the special print is dark ultramarine. 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


9 



ORIGINAL RE-ENGRAVED 

I 

(IV) Printed by the American Bank Note Co., 1881-2. 

The plates of the One Cent stamp appear to have become so 
worn that they required re-engraving. In 1881 we find that this has 
been done. The ornamental scrolls at the top have been shaded and 
the background, heavily lined. The best test is in the foliate orna- 
ment at the left and right top corners. Starting immediately under 
the band which contains the U. S. Postage, just under the U is a 
scroll which curls upward, ending in a drooping ball. In the re- 
engraved stamp, this ball has a small curve of colour. Just above 
this drooping ball is another ball. In the re-engraved issue it is so 
heavily shaded as to almost disappear in the lines of the retouched 
background. The shades of this re-engraved stamp are dull grey 
blue and chalky ultramarine. 


VALUES. 

National Bank Note Co. With Grille. 1870. 





Finely 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

lc 

Ultramarine 

. . $10.00' 

$0.60 

$0.40 


Same, Without Grille. 18 

71. 





Finely 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

lc 

Deep blue 

.. $5.00 

$0 .15 

$0.10 

lc Bright blue 

3.50 

.15 

.10 

lc 

Greyish blue 

3.50 

. 15 

.10 


Continental Bank Note 

Co. Without 

Grille. 18 

73. 




Finely 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

1c 

Deep ultramarine 

,. $2.00 

$0.10 

$0.06 

lc 

Bright ultramarine 

1.00' 

.10 

.04 

lc 

Grey blue 

1.00 

.10 

.04 

lc 

Greenish blue on soft paper. 

5.00 

. 50 

. 25 


10 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


Special Printing, Without Gum. 1875. 

lc Ultramarine $150.00 

American Bank Note Co. 1879. 





Finely 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

lc 

Indigo 

$2.00 

$0.10 

$0.05 

lc 

Deep blue 

1.25 

. 10 

.05 

lc 

Milky blue 

2.50 

.10 

.05 


Special Printing, Without Gum. 1880. 

lc Dark ultramarine Unused, $150.00 

Re-engraved, 1881-2. 

lc Dull grey blue . Unused, $0.20 Used, $0.02 

lc Chalky ultramarine Unused, .50 Used, .02 

Specimens are known punched with eight small holes in a cir- 
cle. They are essays, purse and simple, and should be thrown out 
of the catalogue. 

THE TWO CENTS, BROWN OR VERMILION, JACKSON. 

' 

The difference between the National and Continental designs 
consist in the addition, by the latter company, of a diagonal -stroke 
under the ball of the scroll that curls out between U and S. It is 
very indistinct and collectors had better go by the colours. 



(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. 

1870. 


Unused 

$5.00 


Hard paper with grille. 
Finely 

Used Ordinary 

$0.25 $0.20 




2c Reddish brown 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


11 


Without Grille. 1871. 




Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

2c Reddish brown 

$1.50 

$0.06 

$0.04 

2c Chestnut 

.. 1.50 

.06 

.04 

(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. 

grille. 1873. 

Hard paper without 

Finely 


Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

2c Sepia brown . . 

$1.25 

$0.10 

$0.06 

2c Deep brown . . 

2.00 

.10 

.06 

2c Black brown . . 

2.00 

Special Print. 1875. 

.20 

.12 

2c Deep brown on 

very white paper, ungummed 

Change of Colour. 1875. 

. . . Unused, $60.00 

Finely 


Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

2c Deep vermilion 

$2.00 

$0.06 

$0.04 

2c Yellowish vermilion 2.00 

VARIETIES. 

. 06 

. 04 


This 2c vermilion is kfiown unperforated and exists in pairs so 
it is worthy of attention; the value of these pairs is about $15.00. 
It also exists with grille very heavily impressed and there is little 
doubt but that this variety at best is but a waste or trial sheet. The 
double paper is known and I have seen a copy with a minute strand 
of silk in the paper. Whether this was a sheet printed on some 
revenue paper or not I do not know but personally I think it is just 
a paper variant as one often finds such strands in high grade bond 
papers. 


Special Printing, 1875. 

Unused 

2c Carmine vermilion on very white paper, ungummed. . . 

(Ill) Printed by the* American Bank Note Oo. 1879. 


Unused 

2c Vermilion $0.25 

2'c Yellowish vermilion • *25 


Finely. 

Used Ordinary 

$0.04 $0.02 

.04 .02 


12 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


Special Printing, 1880 . 

2c Black brown ...Unused, $150.00 

2c Scarlet vermilion Unused, 350.00 


This special printing Two Cents brown in 1880 is easily dis- 
tinguished from the special printing of 1875 by its being on the soft 
paper. Before finishing this value I would say that there are a 
number of Two Cents brown, apparently unperforate. The margins 
are so ample that trimmed copies still allow liberal margins, and 
unless a pair is shown, collectors may view the imperforate varie- 
ties with suspicion. The Two Cents vermilion was never re-en- 
graved, and continued in use until replaced by the Two Cents Wash- 
ington in 1883. 


THE THREE CENTS, GREEN, WASHINGTON. 

This being the letter rate and millions of the stamp being 
used, it is only natural that shades should be numerous. The 
grilled issue, however, is none too plentiful for so common a stamp. 
Again in this issue we find so-called imperforate copies which prob- 
ably have been shorn of their perforations. Copies have been some- 
times found in blue which are merely colour changelings, probably 
through contact with ammonia or some acid. 



NATIONAL 


CONTINENTAL 


The National has but slight shading under the upper prong of 
the tail ribbon of THREE, while the Continental has a heavy shad- 
ing. 




PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


1 


9 

O 



ORIGINAL 



RE-ENGRAVED 


In the re-engraved stamp of 1881-2 the curved shading around 
the outer colorless line encircling the medallion has been greatly 
reduced and the background heavily touched up. The re-engraved 
issue is always in a blue green, but the shades of the National and 
Continental printings are so numerous that I shall merely list t e 
more marked tints. 


(I) I*i inted by ti e National Bank Note Co. 

1870. 

Unused 

3c Green $2.50 


Hard paper, with grille. 
Finely 

Used Ordinary 

$0.06 $0.04 


Without Grille. 1871. 


3 C Pale green Unused, $2.00 Used, $0.02 

3c Deep green Unused, 2.00 Used, .02 


(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. 1873. 
Without Grille. 


3c Deep green Unused, $1.00 Used, $0.02 

3c Pale green Unused, .75 Used, .02 

3c Deep bluish green Unused, 1.00 Used, .02 


Special Printing, 1875, on a very white paper, ungummed. 


3c Blue green 


.Unused, $250.00 


Again it would be better to weed the garden and cut out en- 
relv the cogwheel punched essays, the . grilles, and the imperfs. 
'he stamp has some real minor varieties, viz. double paper, pairs 
nperf vertically, and double impression and a pair is known vorti- 
ally imperf. between. 


14 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Co., 1879. 
Soft porous paper. 


3c Green Unused, $0.50 Used, $0.02 

3c Dark green Unused, .50 Used, .02 


The imperf copies listed are probably all trimmed specimens. 
Special Printing, 1880. Ungummed. 


3c Blue green Unused, $150.00 

Re-engraved, 1881-2. 

3c Pale green Unused, $0.20 Used, $0.02 

3c Deep green Unused, .20 Used, .02 


Specimens are known, unused, that have eight small holes in a 
circle punched in them. They are essays pure and simple and should 
be thrown out of the catalogue. 


THE FIVE CENTS, BLUE, TAYLOR. 


Is an easier stamp to handle. Not being issued till 1875, the 
Continental Bank Note Co. was the designer of the frame while the 
Government Bureau furnished the medallion, which had been used 
for some years on a tobacco revenue stamp. This stamp has been 
often described as on bluish paper. Such, however, is not the case, 
but we do find it printed from insufficiently wiped plates, which 
gives the appearance of bluish surfaced paper. The shades are very 
marked and the stamp, unused, in fine condition, is greatly under- 
priced. The deep indigo shade always comes on white paper, while 
the other shades are on the bluish surface as a rule. 

It is listed as coming on double paper, also with a grille. This 
grille is just the same as the grille on the 2c vermilion — is purely 
an essay and has absolutely no right in the catalogue. 


(I) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. Hard paper, without 

grille, 1875. 


5c 

5c 

5c 


Blue 

blue 

Unused 
$3.50 

Finely 

Used 

$0.15 

Ordinary 

$0.10 

Deep 

3.50 

.15 

. 10 

Deep 

indigo 


.50 

.25 


Special Printing on Very White Paper, Ungummed. 


5c Bright blue 


Unused, 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


15 


(II) Printed by the American Bank Note Co., 1879, on Soft 


Porous Paper. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

5c Blue $1.50 $0.06 $0.04 

5c Deep blue 1.50 .06 .04 

Special Printing, 1880, Ungummed. 

5c Dull blue Unused, $350.00 


THE SIX CENTS, RED, LINCOLN. 



The stamp as originally printed by the National Bank Note 
Company always comes in a carmine or rose carmine colour. When 
the Continental Co. took over the plates, they cut in four heavy 
lines of shading in the ribbon. The exact location of these lines is 
where the ribbon at the left curls round and shows its reverse side 
to the left of the word SIX. 

The Continental Company printed this stamp on the double 
paper and those copies tha + are around with a grille can be thrown 
out as essays pure and simple. 



ORIGINAL RE-ENGRAVED 

The re-engraved stamp produced by the American Co. is ex- 
ceedingly hard to find in good used condition. The unsightly can- 


16 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


cellations sinking deep into the soft texture of the paper. In used 
condition, the “American” is five times as rare as the “Continental.” 

The whole frame-work has been heavily lined, but for instant 
identification, the inside curls of the ribbon containing the words 
SIX CENTS have, at least ten heavy color lines, so heavy as to make 
it appear solid 'colour. This is a most difficult stamp to find in nice 
used condition and is much underpriced. 


(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. 

grille, 1870. 

Unused 

6c Rich carmine $15.00 


on hard paper, with 
Finely 

Used Ordinary 

$3.50 $3.00 


Without grille, 1871. 

6c Rich carmine $3.50 $0.20 

6c Pale carmine 3.50 .20 


$0 . 15 
. 15 


(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 
without grille, 1873. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 


6c Dull rose $2.50 $0.10 $0.05 

6c Brownish rose 2.50 .10 .05 


Special Printing, 1875. Very white paper, ungummed. 

6c Dull rose ,. .Unused, $75.00 


(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Co., 1879, 
on soft porous paper. 


Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

6c Pale red $3.00 $0.12 $0.06 

6c Dull pink 3.00 .12 .06 


6c Soft pink 


Special Printing, 1880, Ungummed. 
Unused, $150.00 


(IV) Re-engraved in 1881. 


Unused 
$3.00 
5.00 
6 . 0<0 


Finely 

Used Ordinary 

$1.00 $0.50 

1.00 .50 

1.50' .50 


6c Indian red . . . 

6c Dull red 

6c Brownish pink 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


17 


THE SEVEN CENTS, VERMILION, STANTON. 



There are but two slight shades ot this stamp, which might be 
called deep vermilion and orange vermilion. The American Bank 
Note Co. only used this value once, to make the special printing of 
1880, consequently any copy on the soft porous paper used by that 
company must of necessity be this special print. 

The Continental Company added a crescent-shaped line round, 
the two points of the curve in the lower right corner. 

The grilled specimen should be thrown out of the catalogue. 

(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 



with grille, 1870. 





Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

7c Deep vermilion . . . 

$15.00' 

$5.00 

$3.50 


Without grille, 1871. 



7c Deep vermilion . . . 

$6.00 

$1.00 

$0.75 

7c Orange vermilior , 

6.00 

1.00 

.75 

(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note 

Co. on hard 

paper, 


without gitille, 1873. 





Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

7c Orange vermilion 

$7.50' 

$1.00 

$0.60 


Special Printing, 1875. Ungumtmed on very white paper. 

7c Bright vermilion Unused, $45.00 

(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Oo. Special Printing, 

1880. 


7c Vermilion 


Unused, $125.00 


18 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE TEN CENTS, BROWN, JEFFERSON. 



One is so accustomed to see the full face portrait of Jefferson 
on the Five Cents values of 1851 to 1868, that the profile in this 
issue makes the portrait appear of a much younger man. The Con- 
tinental Company cut a small curve of colour in the ball under the 
E of POSTAGE, and I have in my possession a pair of this stamp 
-printed by the American Co. on soft paper, one of which has, and 
the other has not this curve. The stamp, both with and without the 
“secret” marks come on the soft paper, those without the curve be- 
ing described as “printed from the original plate.” Theories have 
been advanced as to the wearing away of the curve line, but I hard- 
ly credit them, as the cut is deep and full of colour. Possibly one 
stamp or more than one on the plate was not altered. Anyhow, 
whatever the cause may be, this unsevered pair that I have still 
stands out as the great unsolved puzzle of this issue. The black 
brown of the 1879 issue is an excessively rare colour and much 
undervalued. 

So called imperforate copies are numerous and are probably 
trimmed copies of perforate stamps. 

To the Continental issue Scott lists a horizontal pair imperf 
between, also double paper also with grille — the latter should' be 
thrown out of the catalogue. 

The re-engraved stamp never' has a curl of colour in the ball, 
and can be distinguished from the National by the heavy lines of 
shading in the shield and the outer frame lines. 

(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 
with grille, 1870. 

Unused 

10c Pale brown $35.00 

Without grille, 1871. 

$ 8. 00 
8.00 


Finely 


Used 

Ordinary 

$12.50 

$7.50 


$0.25 

$0. 15 

.25 

' .15 


10c Pale brown 
10c Deep brown 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


19 


(II) Pi*inted by the Continental Bank Note Co. on hard 

paper, 


without grille, 1873. 





Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

10c Pale brown 

$5.00 

$0 . 10 

$0 . 05 

10c Deep brown 

5.00 

.10 

. 05 

10c Yellowish brown . 


.10 

.05 

Special Printing, 

1875. Very white paper, ungummed. 

10c Pale brown 



(Ill) Printed by the American Bank Note Co. 

Soft porous paper. 



Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

10 c Brown 

$3.00' 

$0 .10 

$0.06 

10c Dark brown 

3.75 

. 10 

.06 

10c Black brown 

50.00' 

2.50 

1.00 

10c Yellow brown . . . , 

5.00 

. 15 . 

. 12 

Variety without curve on the ball. 


10c Pale brown 

$7.50. 

$0 . 10 

$0 . 05 


Special Print, 1880. Urigummed. 

10c Deep brown Unused, $150.00 

(IV 7 ) Re-engraved in 1882. 

10c Brown Unused, $0.75 Used, $0.04 

10c Bistre brown .Unused, .50 Used, .02 

10c Red brown Unused, 5.00 Used, .06 

10c Black brown Unused, 5.00 Used, .40 

THE TWELVE CENTS, PURPLE, CLAY. 



13 another stamp in which the varieties are easy to see. 

In the National plate the upper and lower balls of the numeral 
2 are plain, while in the Continental plate that have been hollowed 


20 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


out. Two shades are about all there are in the way of colour in 
the regular issues, and with grille it is very scarce. Forged grills 
are known, and the stamp should only be bought from or passed by 
a reputable dealer. 

Throw out entirely the grille if on Continental printing. 

(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 


with grille, 1870. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

12c Dull purple $250.00' $90.00 $60.00 

Without grille, 1871. 

12c Dull purple $10.00 $0.60 $0.40 

12c Deep purple 10.00 .60 .40 


(II) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 


without grille, 1873. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

12c Purple black $12.00' $0.60 $0.40 

Special Print, 1875, on very white paper, ungummed. 

12c Deep purple Unused, $60.00 

(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Co. on soft porous paper. 

Special Print, 1880. 

12c Purple black Unused, $150.00 


THE FIFTEEN CENTS, ORANGE, WEBSTER. 



As originally produced, this stamp had no extra lines in the left 
triangle. The Continental Co. added a heavy Y shaped line to the 
lower angle of the triangle. The stamp is a difficult one to sepa- 
rate and the shades hardly worth mention. I once heard the Con- 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


21 


tinental described as having the white portions of the stamp 
“whiter,” which is really not a bad description. The white lines 
surrounding the inscription and in the triangles seem, in the Con- 
tinental issue, t obe clearer and to stand out more. 

Discard the Continental grille completely and one is quite safe 
to consider the silk fibre variety as a very fancy article to be taken 
with a large amount of faith. 


(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 
with grille, 1870. 


15c Bright orange 


Unused 
$25 . 00 


Finely 

Used 

$ 10.00 


Ordinary 

$7.50 


Without grille, 1871. 


15c Pale orange 
15c Deep orange 


$5.00 $1.00 $0.75 

5.00 1.00 .75 


(II) Printed hy the Continental Bank Note Co. 


15c Orange 


Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

$25.00 $2.00 $1.00 


Special print, 1875, on very white paper, ungummed. 


15c Bright orange 


Unused, $75.00 


(III) Printed hy the American Bank Note Co. on soft porous paper, 

1879. 


15c Orange yellow 
15c Orange red . . 


Unused 
$2 . 50 
.60 


Finely 

Used Ordinary 
$0.50 $0.2 

.25 .1 


Special Print, 1880. Ungummed. 


15c Pale orange 


Unused, $150.00 


cn ©-» 


22 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE TWENTY -FOUR CENTS, VIOLET, SCOTT. 



In this value, and also in the two remaining high values, no 
secret marks have ever been discovered, and the colour is the only 
means of identification. This Twent-four Cents value is' exceed- 
ingly rare with grille, and should only be purchased from a reliable 
dealer, as forged grilles are occasionally met with. The supposed 
printings by the Continental are those whose shades are blue-pur- 
ple, almost the exact shade of the Three. Cents Justice in bluish 
purple, and is a rare stamp. I have only had one unused copy, 
which I purchased from a semi-dealer who had offered it for five 
dollars to a well-known Nassau Street dealer who refused it! ! ! 

(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard ppaer, with 

grille, 1870. 


2 4c Bright violet Unused, $300.00 Used, $100.00 

Without giille, 1871. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

24c Pale violet $10.00' $2.50 $1.75 

24c Deep violet 10.00 2.50 1.75 


(III) Printed by the Continental Bank Note Co., Without grille, 

1873. 


24c Bluish purple 

Special print, 1875, on very white paper, ungummed. 

24c Dull purple Unused, $50.00' 

(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Co. on sotf porous paper, 

1880. 

Special Printing, 1880. 


24c Dull purple 


Unused, $125.00 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


23 


THE THIRTY CENTS, BLACK, HAMILTON. 



Here again our division must.be by colour. The National 
prints are dull black on yellowish paper. The Continental prints 
are greyish black and even greenish black, on a greyish surfaced 
paper, while hte American prints are on the usual soft paper in 
grey-black and a very solid heavy black. I consider the National 
print a hard stamp to find used, while the Continental print is very 
common. The stamp comes on double paper and is also listed as 
with grille in the Continental. Like all its confreres throw this 
grille out as unissued thus. 

(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 



with grille, 1870. 

Finely 



Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

30c Black 

$50.00 

$25 . 00 

$15.00 


Same, without grille. 

30c Black 

$25.00 

$1.25 

$0.75 

(II) Printed by the 

Continental Bank Note 

Co. on hard 

paper, 

without grille. 

Finely 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

30c Grey black ...... 

$10.00* 

$0.50 

$0.30 

30c Greenish black . . 

12.00 

. 5 0 

.30 


Special Print, 1875, on very white paper, ungummed. 

30c Greenish black Unused, $7 5.00 

(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Oo., 1879, on soft 

porous paper. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

30c Deep black $2.00 $0.25 $0.15 

30c Greenish black 6.00 .50' .30 

Special print, 1880, ungummed. 

30c Greenish black Unused, $150.00 


24 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE NINETY CENTS, CARMINE, PERRY. 



The two printings of this value are closer in colour than any 
other denomination of the set. The National might be termed a 
deep carmine, the Continental a duller shade of carmine, with a 
distinctly yellowish cast to it. The American print is in lake and is 
known imperforate. 


(I) Printed by the National Bank Note Co. on hard paper, 
with grille, 1870. 


90c 

Carmine . . . . 

Unused 

$25.00 

Finely 

Used 

$7.50 

Ordinary 

$5.00 

90c 

carmine . . . . 

Without grille, 1871. 

$2.00 

$1.50 


(II) Printed by 


90c Dull carmine 


the Continental Bank Note Co., on hard paper, 
1873. 


Unused 

$ 6.00 


Finely 

Used Ordinary 

$3.00 $2.00 


Special print, 1875, on very white paper, ungummed. 

90c Violet carmine Unused, $75.00 

(III) Printed by the American Bank Note Co. on soft oprous paper, 


1879. 

Finely 

Unused Used Ordinary 

90c Carmine lake $7.50 $3.00 $2.00 

Same, but imperforate Unused pairs, $6 0.00 

Special Print, 1880, Ungummed. 

90c Dull carmine lake 


Unused, $150 . 00 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


25 


This brings to a close a difficult set of stamps. There were 
many essays and trials made by the Continental Company to do 
away with cleaning and other lilegal practices. Some values are 
known on a deep yellow chemical paper, also on violet paper with 
laid lines impressed upon it, and also upon a double paper. The 
re-engraved One and Three Cents stamps exist with a circular de- 
vice that had small holes punched in the paper. The last is known 
as “Fletcher patent,” the idea being that in soaking the stamp the 
holes would become apparent. Specimens on a distinctly ribbed 
paper were formerly catalogued, but are no more collectable than 
the many other varieties found in the issue. Stamps of abnormal 
size — that is with large margins on all four sides — are found in the 
1879 printings, and, all in all, the whole set is a perplexing one 
and of great interest to the specialist. Some of the denominations 
would bear further investigation. 


26 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE ISSUES OF 1882-8. 

PERFORATED 12. 


I am omitting from this issue the One Cent, Three Cents, Six 
Cents and Ten Cents re-engraved, inasmuch as I have already treat- 
ed these stamps. 

THE FIVE CENTS, BROWN, GARFIELD. 

For many years this stamp was listed as having two varieties — 
one, showing the cross lines of the shading in the medallion, the 
other variety showing only the horizontal lines. There was only 
one die for this variety, and the absence of the diagonal lines is 
caused by the wearing of the plate or by very poor impression. There 
are three distinct colours, yellow-brown, bistre-brown and grey- 
brown; the yellowish shade being considerably the scarcer. There 
was a special printing of this stamp in 1888 which is also on the soft 
paper, but it is without gum and is in a very light brownish shade. 




VALUES. 

Fine 




Unused 

Used 

Ordinary 

5c 

Yellow brown .... 

$1.00 

$0.08 

$0.04 

5c 

Bistre brown 

1.00 

.08 

. 04 

5c 

Gray brown 

1.00 

.08 

.04 


Special Printing, 1888. 

5c Light brownish gray Unused, $30.00 

THE TWO CENTS, CLARET, WASHINGTON. 

There are a large number of shades of this stamp which 1 
should prefer to call light red brown, dark red brown and terra 
cotta. An interesting study is also the condition of the plate. If a 
quantity of this stamp is examinde carefully, it will be noticed that 
there are two very distinct impressions, one of which is very sharp 
and clear and generally in dark colours, while the other impression 
is quite blurred and is usually found in lighter tints. The special 
printing of the stamp made in 1888 was in a pale red-brown, and 


PRODUCED BY TIIE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


27 


unlike the other special printings, it was gummed. There were only 
two thousand impressions made of this special printing, and the 
plate from which it was made bore tlie imprint of “Steamer” on the 
top of it. 


VALUES. 


2c Light red brown Unused, $0.10 Used, $0.02 

2c Red brown Unused, .10 Used, .02 

2c Deep terra cotta Unused, .15 Used, .02 

Special Printing, 1883. 

2c pale red brown $20.00 


THE FOUR CENTS, GREEN, JACKSON. 

Is described in the catalogues as deep green. There are, how- 
ever, three distinct shades of the stamp which we shall call dark 
green, blue green, deep blue green. There was also a special print- 
ing of this stamp made in 1888 without gum, in very dark blue- 
green, but the colour is so close to the ordinary printing that it is 
hard to describe. Tnis special printing did not have any gum and 
there were only two thousand of it ever printed. 

VALUES. 

4c Blue green Unused, $0.50 Used, $0.06' 

4c Deep green Unused, .50 Used, .06 

4c Deep blue green Unused, .50 Used, .06 


28 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


» 

■ ' \ 

THE ISSUES OF 1887-8. 


With the exception of the One Cent stamp, this issue is merely 
a change of colour from designs which we have already examined. 
The One Cent blue appeared in 18 87 and was of a design very sim- 
ilar to the previous issue. The Two Cents stamp changed from red- 
brown to green. The Three Cents changed from green to ver- 
milion. The Pour Cents changed from dark green to carmine. The 
Five Cents changed from gray-brown to blue. The Thirty Cents 
changed from the black used in 187 9 to a chestnut or light brown 
colour, and the Ninety Cents changed from the carmine of 1879 to 
a deep purple. The catalogue is apt to slur over the different shades, 
and as most of the stamps are very common there does not appear 
to be sufficient attention paid to the colours. The following list, 
however, covers such shades as have come under my notice. The 
5c Garfield is known on a pinkish paper, and also imperforate. The 
3 0c also exists imperforate. 


VALUES. 


lc Green blue 


$0.15 

Used, 

$0.02 

lc Deep ultramarine 

. . . Unused, 

. 15 

Used, 

.02 

lc Bright ultramarine 


.15 

Used, 

.02 

2c Pale yellow green 


. 10 

Used, 

.02 

2c Deep yellow green 


. 10 

Used, 

.02 

2c Deep green 


. 10 

Used, 

. 02 

3c Vermilion 


.20 

Used, 

. 20 

4c Rosy carmine 


.25 

Used, 

. 08 

4c Deep carmine 


. -25 

Used, 

. 08 

5c Pale indigo 


.62 

Used, 

.08 

5c Deep indigo 


. 50 

Used, 

.08 

30c Chestnut 


1.00 

Used, 

. 75 

90c Dull purple 


5.00 

Used, 

2.00 

90c Bright purple 


5.00 

Used, 

2.00 

5c Deep indigo, imperforate . . 




30c Chestnut, imperforate . . . 




75 . 00 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


29 


THE ISSUES OF 1890. 


This little issue of stamps is so well known that but short de- 
scription is necessary for the listing of the colours. The stamps are 
all very common, and while some of the shades are a little difficult 
to get, the entire issue can be represented for a very small cost. 
Some of the values are known in unperforated condition but I do 
not think they were ever issued thus, and the only interesting point 
in the entire issue lies in the littlte caps which are sometimes found 
over the top curve of the numeral of the Two Cents value. I hard- 
ly think that a cap is a good description of the variety. It is really 
a colourless line which is sometimes found over the “2,” sometimes 
over the right numeral, sometimes over the left numeral, and some- 
times over both numerals, and they were caused by damaged trans- 
fer rolls. The varieties known imperforate are from waste sheets. 


VALUES. 


lc Deep ultramarine 


$0.04 

Used, $0 

.02 

1c Pale ultramarine 


.04 

Used, 

.02 

lc Sky blue 


.50 

Used, 

. 02 

2c Deep lake 


. 45 

Used, 

.04 

2c Carmine lake 

Unused, 

.06 

Used, 

.02 

2c Crimson 


.08 

Used, 

. 02 

3c Violet 


.10 

Used, 

.02 

4c Sepia 


. 12 

Used, 

.02 

5c Dull brown 

Unused, 

. 30 

Used, 

.02 

5c Chestnut 


. 40 

Used, 

.02 

6c Brown red 

Unused, 

. 50 

Used, 

.04 

6c Brown lake 

Unused, 

.35 

Used, 

.04 

8c Puce 

Unused, 

.20 

Used, 

.02 

10c Pale green 

Unused, 

.35 

Used, 

.02 

10c Deep blue green 

Unused, 

.35 

Used, 

. 02 

15c Indigo 

Unused, 

. 45 

Used, 

. 08 

15c Prussian blue 


.75 

Used, 

. 25 


Unused, 

.85 

Used, 

. 10 

90c Deep orange 


1.85 

Used, 

.75 

90c Yellowish orange . . . . 

Unused, 

1.85 

Used, 

. 75 


30 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE ISSUE OF 1893. 


Generally known as the Columbian issue, this series of stamps 
probabiy made more collectors than any one issue. There seems to 
have been a general idea that these stamps were going to be rare, 
because we find large quantities of them were speculated in and 
subsequently sold out at considerable loss. Until a quite recent date 
the hi^h \alues of this issue have been quoted at a discount below 
their face value, but now the market seems to have absorbed the 
supply. Columbians, as they are generally known, are on the up 
grade again. The earlier printings which were of deep colour al- 
ways had dark brown gum. In some denominations the shades are 
very marked, and I list the principal shades in my table of values, 
but before disposing of the issue, it would, perhaps, be well to de- 
scribe it. 

The One Cent represents Columbus in sight of land,, after the 
painting by W. H. Powell. 

The Two Cents represents the Landing of Columbus, our old 
friend who first appeared on the Fifteen Cents stamp of 18 69, and 
is after the painting in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. 

The Three Cents represents the Flagship of Columbus, the 
Santa Maria, from a Spanish engraving. 

The Four Cents, also from a Spanish engraving, depicts the 
fleet of Columbus composed of the three caravels, the Santa Maria, 
the Nina and the Pinto. 

The Five Cents is after a painting in the Metropolitan Muse- 
um of Art in New York, and depicts Columbus soliciting aid of 
Queen Isabella. 

The Six Cents, representing Columbus being welcomed at Bar- 
celona, is taken from one of the panels of the bronze doors in 
the Capitol at Washington. 

The Eight Cents represents Columbus restored to favor, after 
a painting of Jover. 

The Ten Cents represents Columbus presenting natives, after 
the painting by Gregori in the University of Notre dame, South 
Bend, Indiana. 

The Fifteen Cents represents Columbus announcing his discov- 
ery, and is. after a painting by Baloca, now in Madrid. 

The Thirty Cents represents Columbus at La Rabida, and is 
after a painting by Maso. 

The Fifty Cents represents the Recall of Columbus, and is 
from a painting by Heaton in the Capitol at Washington. 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


31 


The One Dollar represents Queen Isabella pledging her jewels, 
and is from the painting by Degrain, now in Madrid. 

The Two Dollars represents Columbus in chains after the 
painting by Lentzo, now in Providence, R. I. 

The Three Dollars represents Columbus describing his third 
voyage, and is from a painting by Jover. 

The Four Dollars contains a portrait of Queen Isabella on the 
left and of Columbus on the right. The portrait of the Queen is 
from a painting in Madrid and that of Columbus after the Loto 
painting. 

The Five Dollars shows a profile of Columbus, and is taken 
from a cast of the souvenir fifty-cent piece issued at the World’s 
Fair. 

There is a well known error in this set, which is usually called 
“the four cents in the colour of the one cent.” This is hardly a 
good description of it. Some years ago a prominent philatelist of 
Cleveland, Ohio, who is now ctead, obtained from the post-office a 
sheet of four cent stamps printed in a very dark blue, totally un- 
like any four cent stamp and very nearly similar to the colour of 
the one cent stamp, although not exactly that shade. No more have 
ever been found, and I have no doubt but that it is a genuine error. 


VALUES. 


lc Deep blue 



$0.04 

Used, 

$0.02 

lc Blue 



. 04 

Used, 

.02 

lc Pale blue 



.10 

Used, 

.02 

2c Rosy purple 



.04 

Used, 

.02 

2c Purple 



.04 

Used, 

.02 

3c Green 



.08 

Used, 

.06 

4c Deep ultramarine . . . 


. . .Unused, 

.10 

Used, 

. 04 

4c Light ultramarine . . . 



.10 

Used, 

. 04 

5c Sepia 


. . .Unused, 

.10 

Used, 

.02 

5c Chocolate 


. . .Unused, 

.10 

Used, 

.02 

6c Reddish purple 



.25 

Used, 

.10 

6c Mauve 



. 15 

Used, 

.10 

8c Magenta 



.16 

Used, 

.04 

10c Deep brown 



.20 

Used, 

.04 

10c Deep gray 


. . . Unused, 

.25 

Used, 

.04 

15c Dark green 


. . .Unused, 

.45 

Used, 

. 25 

15c Dark bluish green . 


. .' .Unused, 

.45 

Used, 

. 25 

30c Reddish brown . . . . 


. . . Unused, 

.75 

Used, 

. 50 

30c Cinnamon 


. . . Unused, 

.60 

Used, 

.45 

50c Steel blue 


. . . Unused, 

.75 

Used, 

.60 

$1.00 Scarlet 



2.50 

Used, 

2.50 

$2.00 Lake 



3.50 

Used, 

3.00 


32 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


$3.00 

Yellow green 


5.00 

Used, 

5.00 

$3.00 

Olive green 


5 . 00 

Used, 

5.00 

$4.00 

Crimson 


6 . 00 

Used, 

6 . 00 

$4.00 

Deep pink 

Unused, 

6.00 

Used, 

6.00 

$5.00 

Black 


7.50 

Used, 

7.50 


Error of colour 4c, deep blue Unused, $100.00 


We have seen the Two Cent in pairs imperf so presume at least 
one sheet so existed. 

With the completion of the Columbian issue the United States 
Government henceforth printed its own stamps, and our handbook 
of Bureau printings, grey covers, deals with these issues. 


% 



Attention is respectfully called to the following pages which 
give some of our more important announcements. Stanley Gibbons 
make a specialty of paying individual attention to individual col- 
lectors. Mass correspondence — “Form No. 163” — postcard memos 
— short and sharp answers are not in our curriculum. Most of 
these handbooks are published at a loss so that we solicit your 
patronage and orders for any stamps you may need. 



PRODUCED BY THE BA?,'K NOTE COMPANIES 


33 


. 


A NEW MOVABLE LEAF ALBUM 


FOR UNITED STATES STAMPS 


Kindly Note: 

The denomination of the stamp and Scott’s Catalogue number is 
given. This is entirely new, .when the stamp is i nplace all 
data is covered up. There are no squares, no numbers., no 
stalls showing. 

Each issue ends on the same page as it starts, and the special prints, 
reissues, and reprints are on pages by themselves whicn you 
can throw away if you wish, and lastly the Album runs up to 
January 1, 1917, and new leaves will be sold separately as 
new issues require them. 

There are no spaces for the Spanish issues of long ago. 

There are no spaces for the Hawaiian Issues. 

The lock and key attachment is used on this Album. There are no 
spring-backs to split your binding. 

Grade A 

! Binder — Finest Morocco leather obtainable with gold (not mica) 

lettering. The binder fits into a slip case lined with fleece. 
Each binder holds 45 grade A leaves or 55 grade B leaves. 
Leaves — Heavy 7 0 lb. ledger paper, the finest money can buy. Each 
leaf is tissue backed and the stubs fit the post exactly, (not 
nearly.) The edges are gilt. 

Grade B 

Binder — Made exactly as grade A — but the binding is all art can- 
vas. This binder holds 4 5 grade A leaves or 5 5 grade B leaves. 
This binder opens just as flat as grade A. 

Leaves — Heavy 4 0 lb. ledger paper. A dandy paper that doesn’t 
wabble about, is white, and allows hinges to peel off easily. 
These leaves are not tissue backed nor gilt edged, but hinged 
exactly the same as grade A. Dangerous to cut down cost on 
this important item. 




34 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


Prices 


Binder $7.50 $4.00 

Section 1. U. S. General Issues (1847-1917) 4.00 2.50 

“ 2. Departments, Dues, Seals, etc. (com- 
plete) 2.00 1.25 

“ 3. Newspapers (complete) 2.00 1.25 

“ 4. U. S. Revenues (1862-1917) 4.50 2.75 

“ 5. U. S. Colonies (complete) 1.25 .75 

“ 6. Confederate States (General Issues) ... .15 .12 

• Complete book in Two volumes 22.50 15.00 

Extra pages. Quadrille B only in stock $12.00 a hundred 


STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 
198 Broadway, New York 


GIBBONS STAMP CIRCULAR 

the outside cover of which lays before you is so well known that 
probably you already receive it — however — for any reader who has 
not had this guide from philatelic darkness to light is invited to 
write in for a copy. This circular is mailed, free, to really earnest, 
appreciate collectors — men who collect stamps for fun and study — 
and this same Circular is not mailed to Mr. John Smith aged 14 in 
the Bronx & such like. 

During Mr. Power’s absence in California last winter many 
letters came to us asking where the “snappy little hard hitter had 
got to’’ etc. — so that this publication is more than a trade journal — 
it’s a Philatelic Philistine. Those who wish to be on the perma- 
nent mailing list — Number 1 list we call it — can become a member 
of the Philatelic Hall of Fame by remitting us $2.00. Kindly tear 
the corner off the bill — Two dollar bills are supposed to be bad 
luck. 


STANLEY 
198 Broadway, 


GIBBONS, Inc. 

New York 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


35 


Does this come to you each month? 





1 

" 

1 

Gibbon's 



A 


g>tatnp 

Circular 





Subscription Price: 

25c for One Year. 

$2.00 Permanent. 

This Circular lists all special 
offers, new productions and 
items of interest in connec- 
tion with our own particular 
business. 







si 

STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 
198 Broadway, New York 




Twenty-five Cents per year. 


$2.00 for life. 



36 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


GOVERNMENT COILS 


We have made up a special packet of Coils for those collectors 
who have never paid attention to these important items and who 
now may wish to secure a representative showing. In the packet 
are only straight pairs — no lines — no joints and the packet con- 
tains both the Rotary and Flat Plate varieties. These coils are 
mounted in a slot card, and numbered by the Scott catalogue which 
seems to be the popular way of sending them out. 


40 Varieties 

This is a grand start towards securing a complete lot of these 
regularly issued Government varieties which ought to be in every 
collection. 


Price $8.00 Postfree and registered 


STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 
198 Broadway, 


New York 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


37 


UNPERFORATED STAMPS 


It is not often, nowadays, that any particular line of U. S. 
stamps can be offered COMPLETE. We are able for the present to 
offer EVERY U. S. IMPERF ISSUED DURING THE TWENTIETH 
CENTURY. This is something very few dealers can do — if any can 
— and only our enormous stock enables us to do it. The Scott Nos. 
embraced in this packet are: 300a, 304b, 314e, 323a, 324a, 325a, 
326a, 327a, 335a, 336a, 337a, 338a, 339a, 355a, 356a, 389a, 390a, 
391a, 411d, lc surface print, 431b. 

Twenty-one varieties in all 


PACKET A 

The 21 varieties, unused in blocks of four 

PACKET B 

The same 21 varieties in horizontal pairS 


. .$ 22.00 


$ 1 1 .00 


PACKET C 

20 varieties (which leaves out 304b) in blocks of four $0.00 


PACKET D 

20 varieties, same as C, in horizontal pairs 


$3,00 


STANLEY 
198 Broadway, 


GIBBONS, Inc. 

New York 


38 


POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES 


U. S. BOOKLETS 


Are by far the most interesting of all U. S. variations because the 
zest of hunting enters into the science of collecting. In this respect 
you may be able to find some of the rarer forms in your own Post 
Office and we particularly ask for offerings of varieties M, N and O 
in all issues. We want to encourage the collecting of these neat 
little leaves so have carefully worked out the following offers: — 


A STARTER FOR A BOOKLET COLLECTION 


14 varieties, all plain leaves $ 5.00 

17 varieties, all plain leaves 10.00 

60 varieties, plain and line leaves 50.00 

72 varieties, plain, line and plate leaves 82.00 


The last packet represents one copy of everything in stock ex- 
cept a few single pieces, which we can submit on any want list that 
calls for them. 


A. E. F. MILITARY BOOKLETS 

Printed in leaves of 30, issued to troops overseas and long ago all 
obsolete and quotations rapidly advancing. We have: — 


lc yellow green, left hand leaf of 30 stamps $5.00 

lc blue green, right hand leaf of 30 stamps 5.00 

2c rose (no stock) 


STANLEY GIBBONS, Inc. 
198 Broadway, New York 


PRODUCED BY THE BANK NOTE COMPANIES 


39 


REMEMBER. 


That “Gibbons” is the biggest buyer, biggest stocker, and biggest 
all round house for 

TWENTIETH CENTURY U. S. STAMPS 

We cannot continue to sell these big bills of goods almost every 
day without having the chance to replace at least some of the stock 
so here is a list of goods we are ready and anxious to buy any time. 

BLOCKS 

of 1902, 1908, 1910, Panama, 1912, ‘ 1916, especially 3c and 10c 
no wmk. Perf. 10. 


IMPRINTS 

Three by two for tops and bottoms, two by three for the sides. All 
values, all issues to date. Strips of three are useless except in the 
plates numbered 2000 to 3999. Some of these we need and can 
furnish printed want list. 

ANGLES 

Many edge blocks needed especially in 1902, 1904, 1907 and 1908. 
As these are called straight edge seconds by the ignorant try us 
before throwing them away. 

BOOKLETS 

Any leaves of 1898, 1902, 1908 lc and 1910 lc, also M, N and O in 
all issues. Very heavy premiums paid for these stamps. 

COILS 

We need lc and 5c of 1902, 10c of 1908, 2c sidewise of 1910. Out- 
side of these our stock is pretty complete but nevertheless submit 
offers. 

DUES 

All plate number imprint blocks — all values — any issue 1910 to 
1916. 

IMPERFS. 

Arrows thro 3 mm of 1 908. Star imprint 4c 1908. Arrows and 
imprints of 1902. Outside of that submit list of offers. 

STANLEY gTbBONS, Inc. 

198 Broadway, New York 



















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